Excellent news just in from the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland: Replacement computer terminals with dedicated connection to the General Register Office of Northern Ireland have been installed in PRONI's Search Room and are now up and running.

It's been a long wait. The old terminals – installed in 2016 – gave up the ghost sometime in mid-2022, and replacements were expected to be available by the end of the year. Then it went ominously quiet. 

At long last, there are again four terminals fully connected at PRONI's Titanic Boulevard offices in Belfast, making the trip out to Stranmillis, where GRONI has been based for eight years, unnecessary for most genealogists.

You can read more in the IrishGenealogyNews web site at: https://www.irishgenealogynews.com/2023/06/new-dedicated-groni-computer-terminals.html.

Generations, the first Jewish-themed genealogy television series produced by the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, JewishGen, and JLTV, is scheduled to launch in the Fall of 2023.

The premiere episode has begun filming and will feature actors Camryn Manheim (Law and Order, The Practice) and her son, Milo Manheim (School Spirits, Zombies), exploring their DNA and family roots and revealing artifacts, objects, documents, and photographs to paint a full family portrait.  The episode will also feature discussions with Camryn’s brother, Law Professor Karl Manheim, and their 97-year-old mother, Sylvia Manheim, which will reveal fascinating details about Camryn’s and Karl’s maternal and paternal lines from centuries past.

Milo Manheim (Credit: Kal Yee), Camryn Manheim (Credit: Cathryn Farnsworth), Generations Host Brad Pomerance (Credit: Joanna DeGeneres)

“Learning about my ancestors and my Jewish heritage holds immense significance for me,” says Camryn Manheim. “It allows me to connect with my roots, understand the rich tapestry of my family’s history, and appreciate the unimaginable struggles and triumphs that have shaped my life today. By learning about my ancestors, I am not only honoring their legacy but also gaining a deeper understanding of myself, my identity, and the world around me.”

“I am very excited to explore my Jewish roots and the lives of my ancestors,” says Milo Manheim. “Heritage is extremely important to my family, and tracing our roots will allow us to better understand the intangible attributes that have been passed down from generation to generation. This journey will provide a deeper understanding of who I am and will further instill a profound sense of pride in my heritage. By delving into the past, I will gain insights into the challenges my ancestors faced and the resilience they displayed, inspiring me to embrace my own journey with renewed strength and determination.”

First Jewish-themed Genealogy Television Series

The groundbreaking series Generations is the first Jewish-themed genealogy television series that will use the vast digital resources of JewishGen, under the guidance of JewishGen Executive Director Avraham Groll and Board of Governors Co-chair Karen Franklin; the historical resources of the Museum of Jewish Heritage; and the production resources of JLTV, to unravel centuries-old family mysteries and histories before and after landing on Ellis Island.

“Understanding the lives of Jewish people through history, not just here in New York but globally, is core to the mission of the Museum of Jewish Heritage,” says Jack Kliger, President and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage. “Generations will offer valuable and inspiring insight into family histories and the research it takes to illuminate them, exploring the struggles and accomplishments of those who came before us. We are grateful to be part of such a groundbreaking series.”

Brad Pomerance, the host of several award-winning television programs, is anchoring Generations, and says, “Discovering one’s family history is a gift and an opportunity to learn more about oneself. It’s not only where we came from but how the lives of our ancestors shaped who we are today, and how that knowledge could, potentially, change our outlook on life. This is one of the most important projects of my career. We look forward to introducing viewers to Generations this fall, and are deeply grateful to Camryn, Milo, and their family for opening up their hearts to share their stories.”

About JLTV

Jewish Life Television (JLTV) is North America’s largest and most robust 24-7, Jewish-themed, English-language television network. JLTV provides high-quality, Jewish-inspired programming for audiences of all faiths who share an interest in the Jewish experience in North America, Israel, and around the world. JLTV is available through traditional and non-traditional video providers in the United States and Canada, including Bell Fibe, Charter/Spectrum, Comcast/Xfinity, Cox, DirectTV, and more (www.jltv.tv/channels). Over four million households watch JLTV every month. visit www.jltv.tv. For more information,

About JewishGen

JewishGen was founded in 1987 and serves as the global home for Jewish genealogy. Featuring unparalleled access to more than 30 million records, it offers unique search tools, along with opportunities for researchers to connect with others who share similar interests. There is no charge to access JewishGen’s resources. JewishGen is an affiliate of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. For more information, visit www.jewishgen.org.

About the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust

The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is committed to the crucial mission of educating diverse visitors and community members about Jewish life and heritage before, during, and after the Holocaust. The third-largest Holocaust museum in the world, the Museum of Jewish Heritage anchors the southernmost tip of Manhattan, completing the cultural and educational landscape it shares with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage maintains a collection of almost 40,000 artifacts, photographs, documentary films, and survivor testimonies and contains classrooms, a 375-seat theater (Edmond J. Safra Hall), special exhibition galleries, a resource center for educators, and a memorial art installation, Garden of Stones, designed by internationally acclaimed sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.

Establishing a Jewish Genealogy Research Center

This announcement comes as the Museum of Jewish Heritage cements its plans to establish the Peter and Mary Kalikow Jewish Genealogy Research Center as a new part of the Museum’s space, where visitors will access the Jewish genealogy resources within JewishGen and the Museum’s respective collections to discover more about their Jewish history. The space will contain computer stations where visitors can access JewishGen’s genealogy resources and a vast collection of records and data, with printers on hand to bring research home. Visitors can also access hundreds of Yizkor (Memorial) Books and print materials. On-site volunteers and content experts will be on hand to assist in the research as well.

The following is a press release written by the (U.S.) National Genealogical Society:

FALLS CHURCH, VA, 20 JUNE 2023—The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announced Leslie Anderson, MSLS, and Kristi L. Sexton will serve as new co-managers of the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). The institute is a leading provider of in-person and virtual genealogical education. Anderson and Sexton will begin their tenure on 1 October 2023 when NGS officially assumes management of GRIP. Both Anderson and Sexton have long had a connection with GRIP.

Anderson, a recently retired reference librarian in the Local History/Special Collections Branch at Alexandria Library, in Alexandria, Virginia, has completed ten courses at GRIP. Over the years, she also has studied at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research and the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records, Gen-Fed. She co-authored Alexandria and was project editor for the Virginia Slave Births Index, 1853-1865. She won the NGS Family History Writing Contest in 2013 and has written forNGS Quarterly, The Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, and VGS Newsletter. Anderson recently launched the blog 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. She is the owner of Anderson Historic Research LLC and a member of several genealogical societies, including NGS. She received her Master of Science in Library Science from Case Western Reserve University.

Sexton is a professional genealogist, researcher, educator, and speaker. She, too, has taken many courses at GRIP and has been a tech host for its virtual courses for the past three years. She is past-president of Orange County California Genealogical Society and a former professor in the Family History Department at Brigham Young University-Idaho. An alumna of ProGen 42 (2020), Sexton holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, and has completed numerous courses at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research in Georgia, and Texas Institute of Genealogical Research. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), NGS, and many local and regional genealogical societies. She received her Master of Science in Auditing/Accounting from Texas A&M. She owns One Leaf Genealogy, LLC.

GRIP was founded by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, and Deborah Lichtner Deal. Both will continue to serve as ambassadors and on the GRIP steering committee. Since 2011, the institute has welcomed some 5,000 students in more than 170 courses. GRIP will be part of NGS’s education department led by Education Director Angela McGhie, CG, FUGA.

"We are pleased to welcome Kristi and Leslie to our education team," said Matt Menashes, CAE, executive director of NGS. "They will be a powerhouse team and ensure that GRIP continues to advance student learning through exceptional courses that merge in-depth scholarly presentations with shared problem-solving."

I have to love current technology! The face of a girl who died more than 1,300 years ago has been revealed through facial reconstruction.

Her skeleton was found buried on a wooden bed, with a gold and garnet cross on her chest at Trumpington, Cambridgeshire, in 2012.

The image will go on display as part of a Cambridge University exhibition.

Dr Sam Leggett said "as an archaeologist I'm used to faceless people" so it was "really lovely" to see how she may have looked.

You can read more in an article by Katy Prickett published in the BBC web site at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-65919518.

The following is a press release written by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission:

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries. The TSLAC Newspaper Collection is now live and available for free online.

More than 4,500 issues of historical Texas newspapers from TSLAC’s collection, published from 1855 to 1930, are available online through UNT’s Portal to Texas History. The Portal provides free and open access to hundreds public domain newspapers held by repositories statewide.

“This partnership represents an exciting endeavor in both preservation and collaboration,” said Dr. Ana Krahmer, Director of UNT Libraries’ Digital Newspaper Program. “We look forward both to adding further newspaper titles to the TSLAC collection, as well as to building relationships with more Texas cities whose public domain newspapers will be newly available because of this partnership.”

Newspapers with issues currently available in the TSLAC Newspaper Collection include the Dallas Herald, The Terry County Herald, The Beeville Bee, Wichita Daily Times, Amarillo Daily News, The Hamilton Record and Rustler, The Goliad Guard, The Hamilton Rustler, Wichita Weekly Times, Alpine Avalanche, Dallas Weekly Herald, Terry County Voice and The Home and State (a Prohibition era labor newspaper). More titles will be added soon.

State Archivist Jelain Chubb noted, “TSLAC staff are evaluating the collection and will base digitization priorities on both the physical condition of the newspapers and requests for use.”

Approaching 10 million newspaper pages, the Texas Digital Newspaper Program, hosted on The Portal to Texas History, is the largest single-state, open-access interface to digital newspapers in the U.S.

The Portal to Texas History is a gateway to rare, historical, and primary source materials from or about Texas. Created and maintained by UNT Libraries, the Portal leverages the power of hundreds of content partners across the state to provide a vibrant, growing collection of resources.

Visit the TSLAC Newspaper Collection in The Portal to Texas History at https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/collections/TSLNC/.

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The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides Texans access to the information needed to be informed, productive citizens by preserving the archival record of Texas; enhancing the service capacity of public, academic and school libraries; assisting public agencies in the maintenance of their records; and meeting the reading needs of Texans with disabilities. For more information, visit www.tsl.texas.gov.

Established in 1890, UNT is one of the nation’s largest public research universities with more than 44,000 students. Ranked a Tier One research university by the Carnegie Classification, UNT is a catalyst for creativity, fueling progress, innovation and entrepreneurship for the North Texas region and the state. UNT’s programs are internationally recognized with research and scholarship spanning all disciplines. World-class faculty are making breakthroughs every day, and UNT students and alumni are changing the world around them.

UNT Libraries are the most-used service on campus and an essential component of education and research at the university, offering access to more than 6 million print and digital items along with innovative programs and support services and expert personnel to assist patrons in achieving their academic and scholarly goals. For more information, visit https://library.unt.edu/.

Here is a list of all of this week's articles, all of them available here at https://eogn.com:           

The following is a press release written by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration:

Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan announced earlier today that the National Archives plans to place the Emancipation Proclamation on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. 

Enlarge

Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan with the display of the Emancipation Proclamation. NARA photo by John Valceanu.

“When President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, he wrote that ‘all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free,’’’ Shogan quoted. “Although the full privileges of freedom were not immediately bestowed upon all Americans with Lincoln’s order, I am proud that the National Archives will enshrine this seminal document for public display adjacent to our nation’s founding documents. Together, they tell a more comprehensive story of the history of all Americans and document progress in our nation’s continuous growth toward a more perfect Union,” she said. 

The intent is for the Emancipation Proclamation to be permanently displayed in the Rotunda with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. The National Archives will commence an assessment to determine the best display environment considering the condition and importance of the original document. The current plan for display calls for showing one side of the Emancipation Proclamation, a double-sided five-page document, alongside facsimiles of the reverse pages. The original pages on display will be rotated on a regular basis to limit light exposure. 

Shogan made the announcement this morning ahead of the National Archives’ annual temporary display of the Emancipation Proclamation as part of its Juneteenth celebration. From June 17 to 19, 2023, the National Archives Museum will display the original Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3. Timed ticket entry is available but not required. Reserve a ticket at recreation.gov. The National Archives will host a special Juneteenth Family Day on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Related programs include author book talks and a panel discussion with a musical performance. Additional information is available online.

The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is located on Constitution Avenue at 9th Street, NW. The Museum will be open for special extended hours of 10 a.m.–7 p.m. for the Juneteenth weekend, June 17, 18, and 19. Free admission and fully accessible. Metro: Yellow or Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. Reserve timed entry tickets on Recreation.gov.

The Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3 Featured Document Presentation and related public programs are made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of The Boeing Company.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are working with Native American tribes across the country to digitize oral histories and ethnographic materials collected from tribal members and to make them accessible online.

Illinois is one of seven universities that are part of the Doris Duke Native Oral History Revitalization Project to increase the accessibility of first-person narratives collected in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The project aims to build relationships between the universities and the Native communities documented in the collections, to return copies of the materials to the tribes and to have tribal members serve as co-curators to determine culturally appropriate access to the collections.

Bethany Anderson, the natural and applied sciences archivist for the Archives; Jenny Davis, the director of the American Indian Studies program; and Christopher Prom, the associate dean for digital strategies for the University Library are leading the project at Illinois.

The seven universities were provided Doris Duke grants in the 1960s to collect narratives and record events of tribes throughout the U.S. and in Canada, resulting in more than 6,000 oral histories.

You can read more in an article by Jodi Heckel published in the University of Illinois web site at: https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/1197729115#. 

Nearly 45 years after the Greensboro massacre, a federal grant will help unveil information about the historic event for the first time. In 1979, five members of the Communist Workers' Party were gunned down by neo-Nazis and members of the Ku Klux Klan.

Now, details surrounding that deadly protest will be made available to the public thanks to a nearly $100,000 grant.

It is one of the most painful memories in Greensboro's history. Over the course of the next year, the University of North Carolina Greensboro and Bennett College will make available online thousands of pictures, documents and much more.

Among the items that will be digitized is an original poster promoting the rally that led to the Greensboro massacre.

You can read more in an article by Bill O'Neil published in the WXII12 web site at: https://tinyurl.com/4wm8f8hp.

The following is a Plus Edition article written by and copyright by Dick Eastman. 

A wireless flash drive? What's that? Why would I want one?

Most computer owners are familiar with flash drives. These storage devices are usually about two or three inches long and have a USB connector on one end. When plugged into a USB port on a Windows, Macintosh, or Linux computer, they appear to be equivalent to disk drives. The computer can read and write data to flash drives. However, unlike normal disk drives, there are no moving parts in flash drives. They are rugged, easily carried in a pocket or purse, and are great for saving and moving data from one computer to another. I use flash drives for several short-term backup purposes and also always take one to the library where I can copy data to the flash drive, take that data home, and then copy it to my home computer.

Several manufacturers have  introduced "wireless flash drives." These work in more-or-less the same manner as regular flash drives and they often even have USB connectors on one end. However, they also have another option: they can be connected to a computer via wireless wi-fi networking. There is no need to physically connect the flash drive to the desired computer. You also do not need any other wi-fi connection. The wireless flash drive is a free-standing wi-fi server. You can use it on an airplane or while on a boat, far removed from any other wi-fi networks.

The wireless capability is great for use with most handheld computing devices. Cell phones, tablet computers, some Kindles, and other mobile devices typically do not have USB connectors and therefore cannot use flash drives or other, plug-in storage devices. The wireless flash drive solves that problem: the mobile computing device can easily use the storage space within the wireless flash drive. A wireless flash drive can substitute for that "missing memory card slot" on your portable computing device. It also provides portable storage space for cell phone cameras. Did you ever fill your cell phone's storage space with pictures when you were not at home? In the future, you can copy all those pictures from the camera to the wireless flash drive, then erase the pictures in the cell phone, freeing up space for many more photos.

Wireless flash drives not only work with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers, but also with iPhones, Android devices, Kindle Fire e-readers, and other computing devices, including those without USB ports. Wouldn't it be nice to add another 64 gigabytes of storage or more to your Android or iPad tablet? A wireless flash drive can do that easily.

Even better, multiple computers can connect to one wireless flash drive simultaneously. When on an extended automobile trip, family members can share a flash drive. One adult can work on his or her genealogy, the teenagers can listen to MP3 music files or watch music videos, the younger children can play games or watch videos, with all data coming from a single wireless flash drive. The same is true for a business meeting where each attendee has his or her own laptop or tablet computer. Multiple people can access the same files on a wireless flash drive simultaneously. I suspect there are hundreds of other uses for these wireless storage devices as well. 

I recently purchased a SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive and have since used it with two Macintosh computers, a Linux system, an Android cell phone, an Android tablet, and an (old) iPad Touch. It worked well with all of these devices.

The remainder of this article is reserved for Plus Edition subscribers only. If you have a Plus Edition subscription, you may read the full article at: 

https://eogn.com/(*)-Plus-Edition-News-Articles/13216318.

If you are not yet a Plus Edition subscriber, you can learn more about such subscriptions and even upgrade to a Plus Edition subscription immediately at https://eogn.com/page-18077.